Ever Considered Working With a Global Manufacturing Sourcing Agency? Here’s Why You Should:

What is an international manufacturing sourcing agency? Choosing a global manufacturing sourcing agency isn’t as easy as you might think. Your company is essentially in the hands of another trusted business, which is expected to control your business operations in another country that you may or may not have access to.

With COVID-19, many businesses are unable to visit their manufacturing locations due to travel restrictions and limitations. Having a trusted international sourcing firm to assist in your product manufacturing and processes could be what keeps your business thriving during this challenging time. Are you still wondering how your business will benefit? Here are several reasons you should consider working with an international manufacturing sourcing agency and questions you should ask when reviewing these companies for the job.

February 22, 2021

Why Do You Need a Global Manufacturing Sourcing Agent?

Is your company looking for a way to optimize your supply chain? Import high-quality products at low cost? Ensure acceptable practices are being followed at reliable manufacturing sites? Are you looking to have “eyes” on the ground while still being thousands of miles away?

There are countless reasons why companies are choosing to work with sourcing agencies. Sourcing overseas can create many difficulties in visiting suppliers and interacting with the products you’re manufacturing. Language barriers and cultural differences between a company and supplier can cause many challenges and lead to production complications, inefficiencies in communication, and unwanted expenses if products pose quality issues. International travel is expensive, and with a global pandemic, the inability to travel is restricting face-to-face interactions between companies and their suppliers. The bright side? When you work with a sourcing agency, you’re not only getting “eyes on the ground” with an in-country project and quality managers, but you’re also saving money and time while maximizing your profits.

Manufacturing sourcing agencies work to provide you with ‘in-country’ personnel whose responsibilities are to ensure suppliers follow acceptable practices, assist and monitor your products during manufacturing. By conducting quality inspections and factory audits, sourcing agents will provide you and your customers with superior service and high-quality products at the lowest cost possible.

What Are The Benefits of Using a Global Manufacturing Sourcing Agent?

Working with foreign suppliers can be incredibly beneficial for your company; however, it can also pose severe complications because of language and cultural differences.

1. Manufacturing sourcing agents will provide you with new and credible suppliers. Long-distance and overseas travel can be quite expensive. Looking for qualified suppliers online or investigating these suppliers in person can be quite tricky, and sometimes, what you see online isn’t what you get in person. Sourcing agents can travel locally, use their resources and visit suppliers in-person, ensuring that they have good quality products and practice good ethics.
2. Having a local manufacturing sourcing agent will help in overcoming language and cultural barriers. Working with an in-country sourcing agency enables you to communicate your product demands through your agent to your supplier, maintaining communicative transparency on both sides. Are you looking for a quality product at an affordable price? Rather than try to negotiate with your foreign supplier for the most competitive price, sourcing agents are able to communicate directly with your supplier, in their local language. Whether it’s communicating product details, negotiating the most competitive price, or addressing quality issues, having a sourcing agent that is local to your supplier is exceptionally beneficial to your business’s success.
3. Sourcing agents can help to reduce the risk of poor quality. Having the ability to work in-person with suppliers allows for frequent product inspections and supplier audits. Some manufacturing sourcing agencies provide pre-shipment inspections, which enables them to selectively test and inspect your product before it hits the air or water. In conducting pre-shipment inspections, randomly selected products are engaged in a series of quality tests to ensure the product’s integrity, and product specifications are being met. What if the product doesn’t meet your quality expectations? Your sourcing agent will communicate the quality issues with you and your supplier. Now, it’s time to reassess the product specifications and try again. How does your company benefit? You have just saved thousands of dollars in product manufacturing costs, shipping costs, and unsatisfied customers.

What Should You Consider Before Choosing a Global Manufacturing Sourcing Agent?

There are always things to consider before committing to a manufacturing agent. While your sourcing agent will become your liaison between your business and your qualified supplier, it’s incredibly important to know their experience with suppliers, manufacturing, and sourcing. Consider this: the more experience they have working with suppliers, the higher the probability is that they have an extensive network of qualified suppliers. With international sourcing experience also comes strong relationships, which may be extremely beneficial when negotiating your next project.

Always make sure that your manufacturing sourcing agent is credible. Before committing to a sourcing agent, it’s important to request relevant product documentation, such as certifications, examples of product quotes, and client referrals. Learning and understanding your selected manufacturing sourcing agency and reviewing their processes and procedures is vital before beginning working together. You need to know that your agent’s shipping documents and certifications are valid documents that will not get questioned or rejected by logistics companies or your customers. Reviewing this information ahead of time will allow you to experience all forms of communication, written and oral, and provide you an opportunity to address any potential gaps or lapses in communication.

Where is the sourcing agency located? Is this sourcing agency located in one country? Or do they have multiple locations? How long has their business been operational? Sometimes sourcing agencies are located in-country or have several offices, one located within the supplier’s country, while the other is located across the globe. Manufacturing agencies need to be trustworthy and reliable. Always make sure that you do your homework and investigate each potential sourcing agency to ensure you know exactly where their team(s) are located and how long they’ve been operational.

Ask questions! Your manufacturing sourcing agent is providing a service for you. Always make sure you have all of your questions answered and the desired answers you want.

Why Should You Choose HBI as your Manufacturing Sourcing Agency?

Established in 2002, HB International has worked extremely hard over its 19 years to ensure customer satisfaction and help businesses thrive. HBI is a top leader amongst Manufacturing Sourcing Agencies and prides itself on serving a customizable experience to its customers. HB International specializes in its services with customers in various areas, including those looking to develop or enhance a product’s design, establishing and maintaining a secure supply chain, and ensuring quality products through in-person or virtual supplier inspections and audits. While we work with a variety of industries, there are no limitations. We are forever evolving and educating ourselves to ensure we continue to provide the best possible experience, most competitive prices, and high-quality products for you and your customers.